Contact Gems of Thornbury

Yes I have had 40 years’ experience as a goldsmith. I can design and make jewellery, either by hand or using the latest computer assisted design techniques. You can discuss all aspects of the design with me and a visual of the final design will be sent to you before the ring of processed. This is a computer generated image and is as close to the real ring as possible. Once happy, a deposit will be taken and the job processed. In most cases, the jewellery item will be ready within 4 to 6 weeks.

Yes we sell loose diamonds with GIA or IGI certifications (or similar) as requested. We are also happy to provide uncertified diamonds, these can often work out less expensive but we will guarantee they are of the utmost quality.

Diamonds are supplied on request to new. We offer a ten day approbation service we will find the closest diamond to your budget and or specification. We guarantee that we will endeavour to ensure the price we given is equal to the current market value.

We have a complete stone replacement service which includes all diamonds and coloured stones. We can obtain stones for you to view before any work is undertaken to ensure you are happy with the stones provided.

Yes yellow gold can be used, if suitable, for restoration work or a new ring, provided it is hallmarked. White gold can be problematic as it does not rework well when melted down, so we prefer not to use it.

Yes provided it is yellow gold and hallmarked. This costs approximately £150.00 for a plain band. We will use your gold and not provide you with an equivalent like some do. We are aware of the sentimental value of your gold.

We have a large selection of ready-made mounts in ring, pendant and earing designs that can be used to re-set your diamonds. We also offer a computer assisted design service that can design a bespoke piece of jewellery for you. This can be a little more expensive but remember you are paying for a commission piece that no one else in the world will have!

We repair all types of gold and silver jewellery from antique to modern contemporary pieces. We have been repairing jewellery since 1974 and have vast experience of all types of repairs. Most of our repairs are undertaken on the premises. Occasionally we may have to sand a piece of jewellery for a laser repair, this can be due to the stones that may be damaged by any other method. This is undertaken by our associate workshop in the Birmingham Jewellery quarter.

We have a standard price for most repairs, this will be given to you when you visit the shop. For example a ring sizing down will be in the region of £30.00. If gold is added to make it bigger, obviously this would be more expensive.
Although we have a something price for most repairs, all jobs very so it isn’t possible to offer prices here.

Yes we will re-polish and re-rhodium plate your jewellery for you. The cost of this procedure is £30.00 but we will re-rhodium the same piece up to one year from the initial re-rhodium at no extra charge, if required.

Yes, we replace batteries in all makes of watches while you wait. Our price is £5.50 (October 2016), Lithium batteries are a little more expensive.

We do not differentiate between different makes of watches. After all, the battery is the same price if it is fitted to a Seiko or a Sekonda, We fit the best batteries available, not the pound shop equivalent!

If your watch is waterproof, we will ask if you need it to remain so. If now, we will replace the battery as it is, but it will not guarantee water resistance.

If you wish it to remain waterproof, you can leave it with us and we will replace the battery under pressure test conditions to ensure its water resistance. This is done at an extra cost, we can give you a quotation for this work.

We offer a price base on a percentage of the value of the items. Value of items including and up to £1000, there is a standard charge of £15 + VAT. Value over £1000 to £5000, an additional charge of 1% oif the value. Value over £5000, an additional charge of 1½%.

For example, for a total validation of £8000, the cost would be:

Just £1000 - £15.000 at 1½%

£1000 to £5000 - £40 at 1%

£5000 to £8000 - £15.00 at ½%

Total cost would be £60.00. This would be subject to VAT at 20%.

These prices are in line with National Association of Goldsmiths’ recommendation.

We also offer Insurance for all your jewellery items through our Associated Insurers TH March Ltd. You can pick up a leaflet with your validation will explain everything and also give you a ref.no that you can use to get easy access and preferential items.

This is a difficult one. In the past insurance replacement a large part of our business. But unfortunately the insurers and multiple jewellers seem to work together to the detriment on their customers nowadays.

You will probably be sent a voucher you can only use at a listed multiple jeweller who unfortunately cannot always offer you the item you require.

But there is a way to beat this!

You can inform your insurer that you would like us to replace your jewellery and we can then deal directly with your insurer to find you a suitable replacement. This is something that insurers are obliged to do unless otherwise stated in your insurance policy.

The second option is to take a cash settlement which will be below the stated replacement value, but gives you the ability to spend the money as you wish and obtain the item you require.

On many occasion we have supplied the same item for the price of the cash settlement.

Jewellery

There is a wide selection of ready-made jewellery products available in store. We also undertake all kinds of repairs on jewellery.